Nectarine tree named &#39;platornec&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Nectarine Tree characterized by its low chilling requirement, producing a mid-season ripening, good quality, yellow fleshed, high firm, attractively colored and shaped fruit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The new variety of Nectarine tree was created in a breedingprogram by crossing two parents; in particular, by crossing as seedparent a variety designated ‘88-011’ (unpatented) and as pollen parent avariety designated ‘88-052’ (unpatented). Both, female and male, arecomponents of a parent collection from a selection made between plantsissued from seeds got in a free pollination in a population of differentorigin done in 1988. Both parental varieties are property and have notbeen commercialized.

[0002] The seeds resulting from this controlled hybridization weregerminated in a greenhouse in the spring of 1997 and planted in a fieldon the farm of La Mogalla in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, 7°W., 37°N., 45feet elevation. The seedlings fruited during the spring of 1999 and onedesignated ‘97.14.012-N’ (unpatented) was selected for its low chillingrequirement (200 to 300 hours), its mid-season ripening, large,attractive fruit shape and color, yellow fleshed, good quality,medium-high firm fruit. During 1999, the original plant selection waspropagated asexually, at the above noted location, by budding ontostandard Peach rootstock variety designated ‘GF-677’ (non patented) anda test plot of 4 plants was established.

[0003] The new variety has been asexually multiplied several times since1999 at this location by budding onto the standard Peach rootstockvariety designated ‘GF-677’ (unpatented) and no incompatibility withPeach rootstock has occurred following budding. During all asexualreproduction, the characteristics of the original plant have beenmaintained and no aberrant phenotypes have appeared.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The new variety of Nectarine tree differs from its parents andother known cultivars of Nectarine trees by producing clingstone fruitswith a low chilling requirement (200 to 300 hours) and very mid-seasonripening date. The fruits of the new variety are ripe for commercialharvesting and shipment between approximately June 2^(nd) to June15^(th) These harvesting dates are approximately 30 days earlier thanthe harvest dates of the commercial Nectarine variety ‘FLAMEGLO’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 8,441), approximately 20 to 25 days later than theharvest dates of the commercial Nectarine variety ‘MAYGLO’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 5,245) and approximately 28 days later than the harvest datesof the commercial Nectarine variety ‘EARLIGLO’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.7,402).

COMPARISON WITH OTHER VARIETIES

[0005] ‘PLATORNEC’ produces large, round shaped fruit with the apexdepressed, showing the flesh fine and light colored fibers; whereas thefruit apex of ‘EARLIGLO,’ is level with no showing of flesh fibers.‘PLATORNEC’ produces higher quality flowers, more brilliant fruit andhas a lower tendency stone to split than ‘EARLIGLO.’

[0006] The fruit surface of ‘PLATORNEC’ is covered almost 100% in a darkred color; whereas the fruit surface of ‘MAYGLO’ is coveredapproximately 75% to 85% and its skin ground color is yellow. The fruitof the new variety has a low skin cracking susceptibility.

[0007] ‘PLATORNEC’ has a lower chilling requirement (200 to 300 hours)than the chilling requirement of ‘FLAMEGLO’ (900 to 1000 hours).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying photographic illustrations show typicalspecimens of the new variety in color as nearly true as is reasonablypossible to make in illustrations of this character.

[0009]FIG. 1 shows typical flowers of the new variety.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows the coloration of the dorsal and ventral leaves ofthe new variety.

[0011]FIG. 3 shows the external coloration of fruits of the new varietywhen sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment and one fruit ofthe new variety dissected in the equatorial plane to illustrate theflesh and stone characteristics.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0012] The following observations and descriptions are of plants grownat the orchard previously described, located near the town of Cartaya,Huelva, Spain. Observations were made of the original seedling tree onits own root during the growing years of 1999 to 2001.

[0013] In this description, it is to be understood that references ofthe dimensions, sizes, colors, etc. of the botanical and phonologicalcharacteristics of the new variety are approximations of averages setforth as accurately as practical. Phenotypic expression may vary withlight intensity and cultural and environmental conditions. The colorreferences used in this description, are to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart (RHSCC) and terminology used in the colordescriptions herein refers to plate numbers in said color chart.

[0014] Tree:

[0015]Size.—Average to above-average as compared to other commonNectarine cultivars.

[0016]Productivity.—Approximately 25000 to 28000 Kgrs/Ha.

[0017]Form.—Considered upright to upright, spreading in form.

[0018]Height.—Original seedling tree reached approximately 3.35 m at endof 2001 growing season.

[0019]Width.—Original seedling reached approximately 1.80 m at end of2001 growing season.

[0020]Current season growth.—Approximately 0.90 to 1.10 m.

[0021]Regularity of bearing.—Regular.

[0022] Trunk:

[0023]Thickness.—Approximately 115 mm.

[0024]Diameter.—Approximately 15 cm when measured at a distance abovethe soil level at end of 2001 growing season.

[0025]Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous scarf skinand flat oval lenticels present.

[0026]Bark coloration.—Grey Group near 201D.

[0027] Branches:

[0028]Size.—Considered medium for the species. Diameter: About 65.2 mmwhen measured during 3^(rd) year after grafting.

[0029]Surface texture.—Average. Current season shoots: Substantiallyglabrous. Color: Greyed-green group near 194D to 194C. Mature branches:Appearing furrowed on several year old wood. Color: Greyed-green Groupnear 197C to 201D.

[0030] Leaf:

[0031]Size.—Considered average for the species; leaf measurements takenfrom vigorous upright current season growth at approximately midshoot.Length: Approximately 150 to 186 mm. Width: Approximately 40 to 52 mm.Thickness: Approximately 1 to 2 mm.

[0032]Base shape.—Slightly oblique.

[0033]Form.—Lanceolate.

[0034]Tip form.—Acuminate.

[0035]Color.—Upper side: Yellow-green Group near 146A to 147A.Underside: Yellow-Green Group near 147C to 147B.

[0036]Texture.—Glabrous.

[0037]Margins.—Crenate, generally uniform.

[0038]Leaf petiole.—Considered medium. Length: Approximately 8 to 13 mm.Diameter: Approximately 1.5 to 2 mm.

[0039]Leaf glands.—Reinform; generally 2 to 4 per side. Length:Approximately 1.5 to 2 mm. Width: Approximately 1.0 to 1.5 mm.

[0040] Inflorescence:

[0041]Flowers.—Bloom occurs prior to vegetative bud break; generally 2individual flowers at a single node; perfect self-fertile. Bloomingtime: Considered early in relation to other Nectarine cultivars. Date ofbloom: First, February 7^(th) Full, February 14^(th). Type: Roseate.Flower diameter: Approximately 40 to 46 mm at full bloom. Bloomquantity: Considered very abundant. Petalage: Generally consideredmedium for the species. Length: Approximately 15 to 19 mm. Width:Approximately 12 to 15 mm. Shape: Lengthened. Petal count: Nearly always5. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Red-Purple Group near 62D to 65D. Apex:Petal apices appear domed. Stamens: Numerous with pollen present;fertile and abundant.

[0042] Fruit: In firm ripe condition at full commercial maturity, firstfruit picked on approximately June 2^(nd); last pick of same fruit in2001 was approximately June 15^(th) in Cartaya, Huelva, Spainconditions.

[0043]Size.—Uniform, medium in size. Cheek diameter: Average about 82 to84 mm. Suture diameter: Average about 80 to 82 mm. Axial diameter:Average about 75 to 77 mm.

[0044]Form.—Rounded, generally uniform.

[0045]Suture.—Extending from base to apex, suture appears as a very thinline at same level as skin.

[0046]Stem cavity size.—Considered medium for the species. Width:Approximately 25 to 30 mm. Length: Approximately 30 to 35 mm. Depth:Approximately 16 to 18 mm. Form: Rounded.

[0047]Fruit base.—Rounded; slightly concave in form; uniform.

[0048]Fruit apex.—Generally considered depressed.

[0049]Fruit skin.—Average in thickness. Surface texture: Very glabrous.Skin acidity: Neutral.

[0050]Tenacious to flesh.—Yes; at commercial maturity.

[0051]Tendency to crack.—Not observed. Skin color: Approximately 100% offruit surface covered with very brilliant Red-purple Group near 60A to59A.

[0052]Firmness.—4.5 Kg/cm²ΔResistance to penetration measured inKilograms (Kg/cm²) obtained by Penetrometer ROZE Mod. Arbelette, with a50 mm² section head.

[0053]Flesh color.—Yellow Group near 11B to 11A. Flesh fibers: Fine,light red colored fibers present throughout flesh at maturity; overallat apex. Flesh texture: Generally melting.

[0054]Flavor.—Considered sweet; medium acidic; soluble solids, as °Brix-12.

[0055]Aroma.—Pleasant and medium.

[0056]Eating quality.—Very good to excellent; well above average whencompared to other common commercial varieties.

[0057]Stone.—Attachment: Clingstone at full commercial maturity. Stonesize: Considered medium for species. Length: Approximately 25 to 30 mm.Width: Approximately 25 to 30 mm. Thickness: Approximately 20 to 25 mm.Stone form: Generally rounded. Stone color: Yellow-Orange Group near 18Ato 19A.

[0058]Tendency to split.—None observed.

[0059]Kernel.—Rounded in form. Length: Approximately 18 to 20 mm. Width:Approximately 18 to 20 mm.

[0060] Use: Considered mid-season maturing Nectarine with a low chillingrequirement (200 to 300 hours), large, attractively shaped, high firmfruit with brilliant dark red skin and yellow flesh.

[0061] Keeping quality: Fruit stored well up to 20 to 25 days afterharvest at temperatures of about 1° C.

[0062] Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilitieswere noted.

[0063] Shipping quality: Well above average.

[0064] The characteristics described above are as a result of as aresult of the growing conditions prevailing in Cartaya, Huelva, Spain.It should be expected that variations in these characteristics may occurwhen farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different soiltypes, and/or varying cultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Nectarine Tree substantiallyas illustrated and described herein.